Lhasa Kathmandu Tour (fly in drive out) is an eight days Tibet tour package that will let you experience the famous historical and religious sites in Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Xegar and Kyirung. You will visit world famous Potala Palace, Norbulinka Palace, Jorkhang, surrounding of Barkhor Street, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and many other heritage sites. The trip will be guided by an English speaking tibetan tour guide. All entrance fees, permits, transportations and accommodation will be covered in our Lhasa Kathmadu tour package cost.
Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Day 02: This day you visit Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Norbulinka.
Day 03: This day you are programmed to visit Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.
Day 04: Lhasa - Gyantse( 260kms, driving about 5 hours )
Day 05: Gyantse - Shigatse( 90kms, driving about 2 hrs )
Day 06: Shigatse - Xegar(240kms, driving about 4.5 hrs)
Day 07: Xegar - Kyirung(320kms, driving about 6 hrs )
Day 08: Kyirung - border (leaveTibet), Distance covered: 25kms, Altitude: 1800m.
Early morning you are transferred to the airport to board the plane for the flight over the Himalaya to Lhasa. If the weather is clear there are wonderful views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and other peaks en route. On arrival at Gonggar airport (which is 60 km. from Lhasa), you meet your Tibetan guide and drive to Lhasa. After arrival at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local areas and acclimatize yourself to the air, temperature and high altitude of Lhasa.Stay overnight at hotel.
One of the highlights is the visit to the symbol of Tibet; the Potala Palace set high on Red Hill, the winter home of the Dalai Lama until 1959. Potala Palace is regarded as one of the most beautiful architectural building in the world. You will climb up the palace along the zigzag stone paths with white-and-red walls to the top of the palace where you can not only appreciate the exotic Tibetan-style architecture, but also get a great view of Lhasa’s urban areas, then walk into the inner space of Potala Palace to explore the stately chapels and learn about the history of the palace.
In the afternoon you will visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419, has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. Another great treasure is the Norbulingka– the beautiful Norbulingka which used to be the former summer palace of Dalai Lamas in the ancient time, and now is a public park. It is famous for its Potrang, the private palaces of former Dalai lamas with grandiose Tibetan architecture style.Stay overnight at hotel.
Today, you will visit Drepung monastery, one of the great monasteries of the Gelukpa (yellow hat) sect, just outside Lhasa. Drepung, in Tibetan, means “prosperity”. Since its establishment, Drepung Monastery has always been one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. In its heyday, there were more than 10,000 monks lived and studied in the monastery. Throughout its history, many important and famous Tibetan leaders used to study here, especially the Dalai Lamas. So,Drepung Monastery is also respectfully known as the “Mother School of Dalai Lamas”.
In the afternoon, you visit Jorkhang temple, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Surrounding the Jorkhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor Market place which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa. Around the Barkhor there are numerous stalls selling all sorts of handicrafts: brightly colored boots and fur-lined hats, silver and turquoise jewelry, rosaries, prayer flags and charms, as well as beautiful Tibetan carpets and all manner of ordinary household ware. Stay overnight at hotel.
Today, you will climb to Kampa La Pass 4793m to view the YamdrokTso (lake).YamdrokTso (Lake) also known as Turquoise Lake is situated in the Lhokaarea, covers 621 square km at elevation of 4441M and is one of the three largest lakes in Tibet. Enjoy the beautiful views of the lake; time for photo opportunity and short walk.
Afternoon,you will visit PelkorChoede Monastery (Kumbummonastery). Its' remarkable feature accommodates the three sects of Tibetan Buddhism in one monastery coexisting in peace with each other. The three sects are: the Sakya, the Kagyu and the Gelug. The full name of the Palcho Monastery is "The Auspicious Wheel Joy Monastery." According to the historical records, this monastery was built in 14th or 15th century. It consists of the Assembly Hall, the 100000-Buddha pagoda, dratsangs and an enclosure wall as its construction units. Also visit the justifiably famous Kumbum monastery with its extraordinary architecture. The Stupa was designed by Newari architects from Nepal and is one the unique stupas in Tibet.Stay overnight at hotel.
Shigatse, an ancient city on the Plateau of which its history can be traced back to more than 500 years. With its altitude of 3800m, Shigatse covers a total area of 182000sq.km in 18 counties and is the second largest city after Lhasa. With population of 635200 under its jurisdiction, Shigatse is historically named 'Nyangme' which means -the lower reaches of the Nyangchu River- in Tibetan.
Visit the great Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, second only in importance to the Dalai Lama. Located on the south slope of the Nyimari hill in the west of the city of Xigatse, the Tashilunpo Monastery, known as one of the six major monasteries of theGelug Sect, was originally built in 1447. It is the largest monastery in the Tsang area of 300000-sq.m. Tsongkhapa's 8th disciple, GendunDrupa,the 1st Dalai Lama, built it with the financial aid from the Pakdru regime. Its numeroushalls contain a 21.6-meter wooden statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha and elaborate, jewel encrusted reliquary chorten. The monastery was expanded and renovated by the 4th, 5th and 6th Panchens. Thereafter, the Tashilunpo Monastery stands at an impressive scale today and becomes the residence for each successive Panchen Lama.Stay overnight at hotel.
Today, you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Xegar.
Xegar: About 13,800 ft above sea level, Xegar is a new Chinese commune built at the foot of the ruins of XegarDzong, and is 7 kms from the main road. With a population of 3000, its importance lies in the fact that it is the centre of this large and remote country and also a base from where expeditions to Mt. Everest and other peaks are launched. Stay overnight at hotel.
Drive from Xegar to Kyirung, the journey we encounter two spectacular passes: Thong La pass (5050m/16,568ft) and Lalung La pass (5082m/16,668 ft). Along with the two passes, we also get to enjoy fabulous views of the high mountains including, Mt. Everest (8848m/29,028 ft) and Shishapangma (8,013m/26,289 ft). Stay overnight at hotel.
After breakfast, you will drive to Rasuwa border, and your Tibetan guide will assist you to exit China via Kyirung border. You will then drive to Kathmandu.
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